The Divisadero corridor is poised for a big 2013, and that starts with Wine Kitchen, which opens this week at 507 Divis.

With Wine Kitchen, owners Greg Faucette and Jason Limburg wanted to create a casual neighborhood wine bar and small plates restaurant. They've spent the past few months converting the former hardware store, which has been shuttered for years, into a cozy space with a welcoming vibe.

When you enter, you immediately encounter a small dining area with eight tables for two.

Further inside, there's a long bar, several high tables, and a small lounge area.

There are a few eclectic items throughout - art made from wine barrels, wall plants, iron sconces, vases — and they all help to create a laid-back atmosphere. Additional touches, like silverware in jars, and a TV behind the bar for sports fans during big games, add to the informal ambience of the place.

There are about 50 wines on the opening menu, with roughly half being available by the glass. In addition, there are a couple of beers on tap, and another 5 or 6 available by the bottle.

The food menu primarily features small plates meant for sharing, ranging from a few dollars to around $14 each. A couple of early standouts, in Greg and Jason's opinion, include the fried gnocchi with short ribs, horseradish, and chives:

And the pulled pork belly sliders with chicken skin, cucumber, and Fresno chile:

Other food options include a charcuterie plate, olives and almonds, and dessert items. The menu is still being perfected this week as they test dishes out on family and friends.

Wine Kitchen will be open six days a week (closed Sundays) from 4:30pm to 11pm, with the kitchen closing at 10pm. The exact opening date will either be this Thursday or Friday, depending on how things go over the next 24 hours or so. We'll update this story when we get the official confirmation.

Update 2:30pm Wine Kitchen will be opening to the public tomorrow (Thursday) night.